MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Book club continues to perk up students

McDowell Elementary School Book Club is back at it again! This time the books are "Miracle on Maple Hill" and "The Not Just any Family."

Recently a celebration was held with yummy treats for the eight students from the fourth and fifth grade that completed their selection. Here's what the kids said about book club:

• It helps you to read more and you get to do it at lunch
• It's amazing
• Nice to sit and talk with friends that are reading the same book
• I like reading and I loved the characters in the book
• Sharing ideas
• It is terrific
• It was great because I like being in the library and reading

What will Ms. Hutchison plan to read next for the book club? Stay tuned...

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Turek shows lots of TLC

McDowell Elementary School has lots of TLC! One example is Ms. Turek, lower elementary resource teacher who loves her job. She is lucky enough to see her students in their classrooms and have them in small groups to help them achieve their highest potential. She instills a love of learning and a will to succeed.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Book fair a big hit

Under the Sea at McDowell Elementary School’s Book Fair, the cases rolled in last week, and in spite of a couple of snow days, students reached the goal to purchase many books for the library with the profit! A wonderful parent crew, some lovely retired ladies and a couple of dads assisted the students in their campaign. The school can't thank them enough!

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: PJ Day makes count day more fun

Pajama Day made count day at McDowell Elementary School a whole lot more fun. Comfy cozy is what everyone was as they celebrated count day. From the kindergarten Batman to Dalmatian spots in the office, the school had it all!

SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY: Studying tsunamis

Teacher Michelle Brewer’s POHI/CI room at the Sixth Grade Academy is studying Plate tectonics and learning about earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. 

The class made tsunamis in a bottle to show how when the crust in the ocean shakes it can cause large waves to engulf the shore. 

They also watched videos of what happened during a tsunami in Japan in 2011.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Watch DOGS take over

On Wednesday, February 11, Taylor Parks Elementary School hosted its second Annual Watch D.O.G.S. Donuts with Dads Event.  

Our Watch DOGS program coordinator, Tania Hernandez, and Top DOG volunteer James Ferry, hosted the event.

It was an opportunity for Watch D.O.G.S.  to share a donut and special bonding time with their children, as well as to recognize and encourage continued volunteer efforts for the remainder of the school year. The school’s PTA graciously donated the donuts through funds raised throughout the year. 

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Celebrating friendship!

At Taylor Parks Elementary School, reading buddies from Mrs. Augustyns' fourth grade and Mrs. Ambrosias' kindergarten spent time together to celebrate friendship, cooperation and kind words.

The students made valentine boxes, ate yummy cookies they frosted themselves and shared some wonderful Sweet Heart Punch.  

When all the "work" was finished, they all sat back and watch Charlie Brown Valentine.  These students have been sharing with each other since the beginning of this school year and have made lasting connections and invaluable friendship with each other.